Podcast: Under The Golden Dome Week 10 (3/17/2017)

Week 10's podcast begins with the state of Iowa being low on money, again. The Revenue Estimating Conference projects a $131 million shortfall by July 1st. Legislative leaders say budget cuts this close to the end of the fiscal year aren't practical, so the state's rainy day funds will be used.

The REC's short term forecast gives backers some momentum for a proposed amendment to the state's constitution. Senate Joint Resolution 9 would turn some of Iowa's balanced budgeting laws into an amendment. It has the support of all Senate Republicans and some Democrats, but Democratic Senator Herman Quirmbach isn't one of them. He says Iowa is fiscally responsible in the long term and a rare erroneous short term forecast from the REC shouldn't be the basis for an amendment.

Also this week in the Senate, a bill banning most abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy passes. It includes a provision banning abortion if a fetus can be considered viable and live outside of the mother's body before 20 weeks of pregnancy.

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This week, the House passes a bill expanding gun rights. Among the things it will allow includes a person with a permit can bring a concealed pistol to city council meetings, but not school board meetings. Similarly, one can be brought inside the state Capitol.

Representative Matt Windschitl leads the effort to pass this bill. During the debate he says, “If I had my druthers, a law-abiding Iowan would be able to carry a firearm wherever they are lawfully present.”

This is the first funnel week of the session, where bills that have not come before a committee are eliminated. It also provides party leaders a chance to reflect on what they've accomplished and what they can realistically expect to see coming to the House or Senate floor for debate. Senator Rob Hogg (D-Cedar Rapids), minority leader, says the Republicans' remaining agenda is "nonsense." House Speaker Linda Upmeyer (R-Clear Lake) says Hogg's use of "hyperbole" is an example of the Democrats having a tough time refuting the success of a Republican-dominated session.

There is lingering bitterness from last week's long debate about changing Iowa's collective bargaining laws. On Monday afternoon, Democratic senators use their points of personal privilege to voice their disappointment and to ask more questions about the authorship of the bill.